Locking mechanism

Abstract

A locking mechanism for joining an elongate member to an assembly may include a frame, clamp, actuator and link between the clamp and actuator. Stop surfaces on the clamp and actuator cooperate to secure the elongate member. A pin and the force transmitted by a compression spring may further be provided for additional security. The link between the clamp and actuator retracts the clamp permitting the elongate member to be detached from the assembly. A linear actuator may be operatively disposed between the frame and the actuator for opening and closing the clamp about the elongate member.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A locking device for coupling an elongate member to an assembly, the locking device comprising:
 a. an outer frame adapted to be fixed to the assembly, the outer frame comprising at least one side plate extending from a portion of the assembly, the plate including an elongate member receiving recess; 
 b. a clamp comprising at least one clamp plate, the clamp plate including a member retention surface and a stop surface, and at least one rotating link coupler, the rotating link coupler including an orifice surrounded by an engagement surface, the clamp coupled to the side plate of the outer frame so that the clamp is rotatable relative to the outer frame; 
 c. an actuator comprising at least one actuator plate having a second stop surface, at least one rotating link coupler, the rotating link coupler including an orifice surrounded by an engagement surface, the actuator coupled to the side plate of the outer frame so that the actuator is rotatable relative to the outer frame; 
 d. a link comprising a bolt having a shaft passing between the hole of the rotating link coupler of the clamp and the hole of the rotating link coupler of the actuator and a compression spring surrounding the shaft of the bolt, the spring having a first end engaging the engagement surface of the rotating link coupler of the clamp and a second end engaging the engagement surface of the rotating link coupler of the actuator, 
 wherein when an elongate member is positioned in the elongate member receiving recess of the outer frame, rotation of the actuator in a first direction causes the link to rotate the clamp into a first position, further rotation of the actuator in the first direction causes the actuator link and clamp to reach an over center position locking the elongate member in the elongate member receiving recess, and rotation of the actuator in a second direction causes the link to rotate the clamp into a second position freeing the elongate member so it is removable from the elongate member receiving recess; and 
 e. a linear actuator operatively coupled between the outer frame and the actuator for selectively rotating the actuator in the first and second directions. 
 
     
     
       2. The locking device of  claim 1  wherein the linear actuator comprises a hydraulic cylinder. 
     
     
       3. The locking device of  claim 1  wherein the linear actuator comprises an air cylinder. 
     
     
       4. The locking device of  claim 1  wherein the linear actuator comprises an electrical solenoid. 
     
     
       5. The locking device of  claim 1  and further including an object sensor disposed proximate the elongate member receiving recess. 
     
     
       6. A locking device for coupling an elongate member to an assembly, the locking device comprising:
 a. an outer frame adapted to be fixed to the assembly, the outer frame comprising a pair of side plates extending in parallel spaced relation to each other from a portion of the assembly, each of the side plates including an elongate member receiving recess; 
 b. a clamp comprising a pair of clamp plates, each of the clamp plates including a member retention surface and a first stop surface, and at least one rotating link coupler, the rotating link coupler including an orifice surrounded by an engagement surface, the clamp positioned between and coupled to the side plates of the outer frame so that the clamp is rotatable relative to the outer frame; 
 c. an actuator comprising a pair of actuator plates, each of the actuator plates having a second stop surface, and at least one rotating link coupler, the rotating link coupler including an orifice surrounded by an engagement surface, the actuator positioned between and coupled to the side plates of the outer frame so that the actuator is rotatable relative to the outer frame; 
 d. a link comprising a bolt having a shaft passing between the hole of the rotating link coupler of the clamp and the hole of the rotating link coupler of the actuator, and a compression spring surrounding the shaft of the bolt, the spring having a first end engaging the engagement surface of the rotating link coupler of the clamp and a second end engaging the engagement surface of the rotating link coupler of the actuator; and 
 e. a linear actuator operatively coupled between the outer frame and the pair of actuator plates, 
 wherein when an elongate member is positioned in the elongate member receiving recesses of the outer frame, rotation of the actuator plate in a first direction by the linear actuator causes the link to rotate the clamp into a first position, further rotation of the actuator in the first direction by the linear actuator causes the actuator clamp and link to reach an over center position locking the elongate member in the elongate member receiving recesses, and rotation of the actuator in a second direction by the linear actuator causes the link to rotate the clamp into a second position freeing the elongate member so it is removable from the elongate member receiving recess. 
 
     
     
       7. The locking device of  claim 6  wherein the linear actuator comprises a hydraulic cylinder. 
     
     
       8. The locking device of  claim 6  wherein the linear actuator comprises an air cylinder. 
     
     
       9. The locking device of  claim 6  wherein the linear actuator comprises an electrical solenoid. 
     
     
       10. The locking device of  claim 6  and further including an object sensor disposed proximate the elongate member receiving recess. 
     
     
       11. A locking device for coupling an elongate member to an assembly, the locking device comprising:
 a. an outer frame adapted to be fixed to the assembly, the outer frame comprising a pair of side plates extending in parallel spaced relation, to each other from a portion of the assembly, each of said side plates having first and second holes and an elongate member receiving recess; 
 b. a clamp comprising a second pair of plates each including a hole therethrough, a member retention surface and a stop surface, a shaft passing through the holes of the plates of the second pair of plates and into each of the first holes of the pair of side plates to couple the clamp to the outer frame between the pair of side plates of the outer frame so that the clamp is rotatable relative to the outer frame, at least one spacer extending between the second pair of plates for retaining the plates of the second pair of plates generally parallel to each other, and a rotating link coupler, the rotating link coupler having an orifice surrounded by a surface and being rotatable with respect to the pair of side plates along an axis substantially perpendicular to the pair of side plates; 
 c. an actuator comprising a third pair of plates each including a hole therethrough and at least one stop surface, a shaft passing through the holes of the plates of the third pair of plates and into each of the second holes of the plates of the pair of side plates to couple the actuator to the outer frame between the pair of side plates of the outer frame so that the actuator is rotatable relative to the outer frame, at least one rotating link coupler, the rotating link coupler having an orifice surrounded by a surface and rotatable with respect to the plates along an axis substantially perpendicular to the plates, and at least one spacer for retaining the plates of the third pair of plates generally parallel to each other, 
 d. a link comprising a bolt having a shaft passing between the holes of the rotating link couplers of the clamp and actuator and a compression spring surrounding the shaft of the bolt and having a first end engaging the surface surrounding the orifice of the rotating link coupler of the clamp and a second end engaging the surface surrounding the orifice of the rotating link coupler of the actuator, and 
 e. a linear actuator operatively coupled between the pair of side plates and the actuator, 
 wherein when an elongate member is positioned in the elongate member receiving recesses of the outer frame, rotation of the actuator in a first direction by the linear actuator causes the link to rotate the clamp into a first position, further rotation of the actuator in the first direction by the linear actuator causes the actuator, the clamp and the link to reach an over center position locking the elongate member in the elongate member receiving recess, and rotation of the actuator in a second direction by the linear actuator causes the link to rotate the clamp into a second position freeing the elongate member so it is removable from the elongate member receiving recesses. 
 
     
     
       12. The locking device of  claim 11  wherein the linear actuator is one of a hydraulic cylinder, an air cylinder and an electrical solenoid. 
     
     
       13. The locking device of  claim 11  and further including an object sensor positioned proximate the elongate member receiving recesses for sensing and remotely indicating the presence of an object in the elongate member receiving recesses.